Going big: Largest investment in province history allocated to replace New Westminster Secondary School

One of the largest secondary schools in the lower mainland has finally been marked for renewal.

In June, at the end of the school year, Minister of Education Mike Bernier announced the replacement of the New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS) – a $106.5 million project that is the largest school investment in the history of the province. The current school, built in 1949, is in poor structural condition, is a high-seismic risk, and is nearing its 2,100 student body capacity. The new school will be designed using the highest standards for safety, accessibility, and flexible modern learning, and will accommodate future growth and expansions. The project will also be built under Hon. Mike Bernier, Minister of Education, joined by Jonina Campbell, board chair, the province’s Apprentices on Public Projects Policy, which assists stuSchool District 40 at New Westminster Secondary School. dents learning a trade.

Going big

Largest investment in province history allocated to replace New Westminster Secondary School

By Tammy SchuSTer

“The replacement of New Westminster Secondary School is the final major piece in the current Capital Plan projected for the New Westminster School District,” said Jonina Campbell, board chair, New Westminster School District. “This wonderful and long-awaited announcement will mean our children will be able to look forward to attending a stateof-the-art school that will assist all students in pursuing their passions in a modern learning environment.”

Since 2001, the provincial government has invested more than $36 million in the New Westminster School District, including École QayQayt Elementary School, Fraser River Middle School, an addition to Lord Kelvin Elementary School, and enhancement projects at Lord Kelvin Elementary and Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary schools.

Construction on NWSS will start in 2017 using a design-build process, and the new school is expected to open in December 2019. Once the new school is in operation, the old school will be carefully and respectfully demolished.

The existing school was built on land formerly used as a burial ground, a public works yard, and a staging area for the military during the Second World War. Construction of the new school building will be on portions of the site that are not burial areas, and key groups will meet to determine how best to honour the burial site. All work within the designated heritage areas will be monitored by an archeologist to ensure the heritage requirements are met and any historic artifacts are appropriately recorded.

“This project has been a long time in coming and I know it will change the future of education in New Westminster, while protecting the historical significance of this site,” said Bernier. n